Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Mr. Hutson was already known to be wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Sullivan County Criminal Court for Violation of Probation on a previous conviction for Aggravated Assault. When a responding K.P.D. Patrol Officer attempted a traffic stop, Mr. Hutson fled in an attempt to evade apprehension.

Moments later, Officers again located Mr. Hutson in the same vehicle in the driveway of a nearby trailer court. When an Officer exited his cruiser and approached the vehicle, Mr. Hutson again fled in the vehicle in an attempt to evade apprehension, nearly striking the Officer in the process.

Soon thereafter, Officers again located Mr. Hutson in the same vehicle, this time on Interstate 26. Mr. Hutson pulled his vehicle over on the shoulder and fled from the Officers on foot, running across two traffic lanes of the Interstate and into a wooded area. As he fled, he threw down an item which was recovered and determined to be approximately 87 grams of heroin.

After a brief search, Officers were able to find Mr. Hutson hiding in a drainage tile. Despite repeated commands to show his hands and exit the tile, he refused to comply. Officers were forced to deploy a Taser in order to overcome his resistance and take him into custody.

During a search of Mr. Hutson’s person, Officers discovered a loaded 9mm pistol and over $4,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds from illegal drug transactions. During a search of his vehicle, Officers located a digital scale and plastic baggies, commonly associated with illegal drug trafficking.

Mr. Hutson was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute over 15 grams of Heroin, Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearms During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Evading Arrest, and Felony Reckless Endangerment.

As of the time of issuance of this news release, Mr. Hutson remains confined in the Kingsport City Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond. This incident remains under open and active investigation with the possibility of additional charges pending. As such, no further details are available for release at this time.

2) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia

3) Possession of a Firearms During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony

4) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

5) Felony Evading Arrest

6) Felony Reckless Endangerment

7) Also Wanted on Outstanding Warrant for Violation of Probation for Previous Conviction of Aggravated Assault

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton